Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 to 70

Comparing different radiation therapies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Official title: Phase 3 Trial Comparing IMRT or IMPT Plus CIRT for Patients With NPC

Run by Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center · NCT06846450 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing whether a new combination of proton and carbon ion radiation therapy is just as effective and safe as a different combination of photon and carbon ion radiation therapy for people newly diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

More Nasopharyngeal Cancinoma (NPC) trials

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 70 Years
SexAll
Enrollment470 (estimated)
SponsorShanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center
Academic / other
Drugs / interventionsradiation, chemotherapy
Locations1 site (Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality)
StatusRecruiting
StartedApril 1, 2025
Main results expectedJanuary 31, 2031
Study endsJanuary 31, 2031
Registry record updatedDecember 2, 2025
Trial IDNCT06846450 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 70 with pathologically confirmed nasopharyngeal carcinoma and no distant metastasis.

Probably not a fit

Patients with distant metastasis or those who have had previous radiotherapy to the head and neck region will not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This phase 3 non-inferiority trial aims to compare the efficacy and toxicity of proton radiation therapy combined with carbon ion radiation therapy against photon radiation therapy combined with carbon ion radiation therapy for patients with newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either treatment approach, and the study will evaluate progression-free survival as the primary outcome, along with secondary outcomes including overall survival and patient-reported outcomes. The trial utilizes a web-based randomization system to ensure balanced allocation based on disease stage and response to prior chemotherapy.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a more effective and less toxic treatment option for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promising results with proton and carbon ion therapies, but this specific comparison is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

* Willingness to sign the written informed consent.
* Pathologically confirmed Nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
* Patients with any stage of disease except distant metastasis.
* Age: ≥ 18 and ≤ 70 years old.
* Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score: 0-1.
* Adequate laboratory test results.
* Willingness to accept adequate contraception.

Exclusion criteria:

* Presence of distant metastasis.
* Previous radiotherapy to head and neck region.
* Previous surgery (except for biopsy) for the primary lesion or cervical lymph nodes.
* History of malignant tumor within the past 5 years.
* Presence of multiple primary tumors.
* Presence of diseases that may interfere with the evaluation of study endpoints.
* Presence of severe major organ dysfunction.
* Mental illness that may affect the understanding of informed consent.

Where it's running

  • Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center
    Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, China
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.